View source for Push This Scientific Movement, Go to Every University

Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the university as a critical arena for the dissemination of transcendental science. He notes that while the government provides facilities for both education and incarceration, it is the individual's choice to pursue a degree or end up in a prison cell. Similarly, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is an educational institution meant for "serious men" who wish to transcend the animalistic propensities of eating, sleeping, and defending. By presenting the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' as a scientific and authoritative philosophy, Śrīla Prabhupāda aimed to transform universities from centers of sophisticated sense gratification into places where students and professors could learn the highest purpose of human existence.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== The Choice of Individual Independence ===

Human life is characterized by the freedom of choice, and Śrīla Prabhupāda often used the university and the prison house as a metaphor for this independence. He explained that the state is equal to all citizens, providing both the means for academic achievement and the consequences for criminal behavior. Whether a person occupies a responsible position after graduating from a university or suffers for years in a police custody is entirely dependent on their own choice. In the same way, Kṛṣṇa offers the facility for all souls to return to Him through devotional service, yet if one chooses the path of material attachment or "hell," the Lord does not interfere with that individual's independence.

* [[Vaniquotes:Everyone has choice. Choice, but under the control. Exactly like that. By your choice, you go to the prison house. By your choice, you go to the university|Everyone has choice. Choice, but under the control. Exactly like that. By your choice, you go to the prison house. By your choice, you go to the university.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Government creates university also, or government creates prison house also. But it is your freedom. You make your choice: either you go to the university or you go to the prison house. It is your choice|Government creates university also, or government creates prison house also. But it is your freedom. You make your choice: either you go to the university or you go to the prison house. It is your choice.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is not the government's partiality, that somebody go to the prison house and somebody will go to the university and occupy responsible position. No. It is our fault that we do not take opportunity or the facilities offered by the government or Krsna|It is not the government's partiality, that somebody go to the prison house and somebody will go to the university and occupy responsible position. No. It is our fault that we do not take opportunity or the facilities offered by the government or Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:State says: "Everyone go to the university, be educated." But if you make your choice, go to the prison house, you can make your choice. Similarly, Krsna says everyone, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. But if you make your choice to go to hell, what can He do|State says: "Everyone go to the university, be educated." But if you make your choice, go to the prison house, you can make your choice. Similarly, Krsna says everyone, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. But if you make your choice to go to hell, what can He do.]]

=== True Knowledge versus Animal Propensities ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda challenged the modern definition of education, asserting that there is no need for a university degree to learn the basic bodily functions shared with animals. Activities such as eating, sleeping, mating, and defending are natural instincts that require no formal schooling; yet, modern universities often specialize in teaching how to gratify these senses "scientifically." To Śrīla Prabhupāda, a "dull" person is one who despite high academic credentials cannot understand the existence of God. True education, therefore, must focus on the soul and the Absolute Truth, rather than wasting valuable time on mechanical livelihood skills that do not address the ultimate problems of life.

* [[Vaniquotes:Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. These four things, there is no need of university education. But at the present moment to go to university means how to gratify the senses very scientifically. Scientifically. How to steal scientifically|Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. These four things, there is no need of university education. But at the present moment to go to university means how to gratify the senses very scientifically. Scientifically. How to steal scientifically.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Dull means cannot understand what is God. That is dullness. Otherwise for eating, sleeping, sex life & defense there is no need of university education. Nobody goes to the university to learn how to eat, how to sleep, how to enjoy sex life, how to defend|Dull means cannot understand what is God. That is dullness. Otherwise for eating, sleeping, sex life and defense there is no need of university education. Nobody goes to the university to learn how to eat, how to sleep, how to enjoy sex life, how to defend.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Nobody has to go to university to learn how to eat, how to sleep, how to have sex life, how to defend. Nobody hasn't got to. It doesn't require education. It is already there. If you attack me, I shall immediately defend with my hand. You see? Natural|Nobody has to go to university to learn how to eat, how to sleep, how to have sex life, how to defend. Nobody hasn't got to. It doesn't require education. It is already there. If you attack me, I shall immediately defend with my hand. You see? Natural.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Just like our children, they are seeing this Deity worship, this kirtana - they will learn. Similarly, those who have to work to earn their livelihood, mechanical or some, they can go to the . . . What is the use of wasting time going to the university|Just like our children, they are seeing this Deity worship, this kirtana - they will learn. Similarly, those who have to work to earn their livelihood, mechanical or some, they can go to the . . . What is the use of wasting time going to the university.]]

=== The Preaching Mission in Academia ===

Recognizing that universities house the intelligent class of men, Śrīla Prabhupāda urged his followers to push the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement in these institutions. He was greatly encouraged when devotees were victorious in their debates with university professors and students, proving that the science of God is intellectually superior to materialistic philosophy. Śrīla Prabhupāda even expressed his willingness, despite his old age, to travel from one university to another to speak authoritatively on the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. This academic outreach is a core part of Lord Caitanya’s mission: to use the power of submissive hearing (''śruti'') to enlighten those who are otherwise absorbed in mundane research.

* [[Vaniquotes:I (Prabhupada) was very glad to learn how our devotees are coming out victorious in the preaching to the university professors and students|I (Prabhupada) was very glad to learn how our devotees are coming out victorious in the preaching to the university professors and students.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Nobody can speak on the Bhagavad-gita so authoritatively as I can do. That is a fact. So if the university wants to take advantage of this opportunity, even in this old age I can go from one university to another|Nobody can speak on the Bhagavad-gita so authoritatively as I can do. That is a fact. So if the university wants to take advantage of this opportunity, even in this old age I can go from one university to another.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Push this scientific movement, go to every university|Push this scientific movement, go to every university.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Push this scientific movement, go to every university, every college. How they are receiving now in the college circles|Push this scientific movement, go to every university, every college. How they are receiving now in the college circles.]]

=== The Necessity of an Authorized Ācārya ===

Just as one cannot become educated by simply buying books but must attend a university and hear from experienced professors, one must approach an authorized ''ācārya'' to make spiritual progress. This principle of ''ācāryopāsanam'' is essential for moving beyond the intermediary stages of life toward the "doctorate" level of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the process requires strict discipline, the grace of the Supreme Lord can help a sincere seeker bypass mundane hurdles. The ears must be utilized to hear the transcendental vibration from a self-realized soul, which is far more effective than attempting to understand the Absolute Truth through independent study or a Ph.D. degree.

* [[Vaniquotes:Another important thing is acaryopasanam. If you want to make progress, then you have to approach acarya. Just like if you want to be educated, you go to school, you go to college, you go to university|Another important thing is acaryopasanam. If you want to make progress, then you have to approach acarya. Just like if you want to be educated, you go to school, you go to college, you go to university.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:God has given you the ear. Utilize it properly. That's all. You don't require to go to the university and get a Ph.D. degree and then you can understand. No. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva - SB 10.14.3|God has given you the ear. Utilize it properly. That's all. You don't require to go to the university and get a Ph.D. degree and then you can understand. No. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva - SB 10.14.3.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is impossible to go directly to the university without prior schooling. In spiritual life, however, although there are strict regulations, by the Supreme Lord's grace one can bypass many intermediary stages and reach the top, or "doctorate" level|It is impossible to go directly to the university without prior schooling. In spiritual life, however, although there are strict regulations, by the Supreme Lord's grace one can bypass many intermediary stages and reach the top, or "doctorate" level.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You must go to the university, you must go to the college. You must hear the experienced professor and learn it and practically experiment it. Then you can learn|You must go to the university, you must go to the college. You must hear the experienced professor and learn it and practically experiment it. Then you can learn.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings on going to the university provide a dual perspective: a sharp critique of modern education’s focus on biological survival and a call to action for transforming academic institutions into centers of spiritual science. He reminds us that the state provides the facilities, but the soul makes the choice—to pursue true knowledge or to remain imprisoned in material consciousness. By approaching an authorized spiritual master, much like a student approaches a professor, the sincere soul can transcend animalistic propensities and achieve the highest spiritual education. Ultimately, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seeks to "go to every university," challenging the intelligent class of men to recognize that the perfection of life is found not in scientific sense gratification, but in surrendering to the Absolute Truth.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Going_to_the_University|Going to the University]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement]]

<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>